Omnibus Study, Fall 1973

This study was specifically designed for investigators who wanted to collect data on a national sample, but only required part of an interview. The survey explored the following topics: economic situation, attitudes toward the political system, views and beliefs about selected institutions, philanthropic contributions, and background questions. In the economic section respondents were asked how they viewed their own and the country's economic situations in comparison to the previous year, and what their expectations were for the next 12 months. Questions referred to personal finances, employment, price changes, and the national business situation. The economic variables are also included in SURVEY OF CONSUMER ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR, FALL 1973. The second section contained questions of a political nature, focusing on trust in the federal government and the evaluation of major political institutions, such as the United States Congress, the Supreme Court, the president, the military, and the major political parties. The third section elicited respondents' views of selected institutions, including big business, local, state, and federal governments, churches, schools, colleges and universities, labor unions, and the media. The fourth section assessed general attitudes toward philanthropy and the effects of the growth of public philanthropy on private giving. Respondents were also asked to what extent their contributions to charity were, or would be, affected by recent changes in tax law such as the elimination of tax breaks. Demographic variables include sex, age, ethnicity, marital status, level of education, marital status, duration of present and past marriages, employment status, main occupation, and labor union membership.